Labour market transitions in South Africa: What can we learn from matched Labour Force Survey data?

Abstract:

We generate a longitudinal dataset using the rotating panel component of the nationally representative Labour Force Surveys from 2001 to 2003. We then estimate the transition probabilities across different labour market states over a six month period. We find that unemployed searchers are more likely to find employment than the non-searching unemployed. Informal sector workers are more likely to find formal sector employment than the searching unemployed. Whites are more likely to find and remain in formal sector jobs. However, some part of the Black-White unemployment gap arises from unemployed Whites leaving the labour force at a higher rate.